I use both National Geographic TOPO Software (the State versions) and the Home Version of Expert GPS (http://www.expertgps.com/purchase.asp). They both cost money, but I haven't found anything that's free that gives me what I want.

Yes, you can create maps and draw routes, or import/export gps tracks onto maps. You just need either a yahoo or google account to sign in so you can save all your stuff. You can save all the maps you make and share them with a link or it will give you code to embed the map on a webpage. Here is your example on the USGS topo map In the top right you can chose what map you want to view the route on. They even have maps from the early 1900's (including San G area) You can also overlay multiple maps. Sometimes I like to have the sat image and then overlay the 40' contours onto that. There is a slope analysis layer that will shade the slopes based on steepness. Lots of good features for planning cross country adventures. Its especially helpful to draw a route on the topo, then switch to sat image to see if the route is through scree, rock bands, forest, meadow, etc.

hvydrt wrote:Yes, you can create maps and draw routes, or import/export gps tracks onto maps. You just need either a yahoo or google account to sign in so you can save all your stuff. You can save all the maps you make and share them with a link or it will give you code to embed the map on a webpage. Here is your example on the USGS topo map In the top right you can chose what map you want to view the route on. They even have maps from the early 1900's (including San G area) You can also overlay multiple maps. Sometimes I like to have the sat image and then overlay the 40' contours onto that. There is a slope analysis layer that will shade the slopes based on steepness. Lots of good features for planning cross country adventures. Its especially helpful to draw a route on the topo, then switch to sat image to see if the route is through scree, rock bands, forest, meadow, etc.

OK, now that's pretty nice. Looks like it might be a bit of a learning curve (Mapper is really quick and easy to learn), but the payoff is a lot of functionality. I'm going to have to play with it some. Thanks for the tip!